Your smile encourages your level of confidence and your overall well-being. If you wear dentures, you’ll want them to last as long as possible and provide the function and appeal they were designed for. To keep your dentures looking their best and functioning correctly, follow these seven tips:
- Be Gentle with Your Dentures – Handle with care; dentures can be slippery and easy to drop. Don't bend or otherwise damage the clasps when cleaning.
- Rinse Dentures after Eating - Rinse your dentures after eating to remove food debris and keep bacteria from growing.
- Soak Dentures Overnight – Don’t wear your dentures to bed. Place them in water or a denture-soaking solution overnight, so they don’t dry out and become brittle.
- Clean Your Mouth Before Bedtime - Use an ADA approved toothbrush on any natural teeth and your tongue. To clean all other soft-tissues of your mouth, including your gums, cheeks, and palate, use a clean, wet washcloth. Follow with an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Brush your Dentures Daily. Before returning your dentures to your mouth, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive denture cleanser; this removes debris and left-over dental adhesive while helping to prevent staining. The denture-soaking solution can burn the mouth, so be sure to rinse thoroughly before wearing them.
- Don’t Forget to See Your Dentist Regularly - Your dentist will let you know how often you need to be examined and have your dentures professionally cleaned.
- Call Your Denturist if Your Denture Becomes Loose. Loose dentures often result from changes in the contours of your gums and underlying bone. An adjustment might be needed to ensure a proper fit and avoid irritation, sores, and infection.
Things Denture Wearers Should Avoid
The following items can damage dentures.
- Abrasive denture cleaners
- Whitening toothpaste and products containing bleach
- Hot water
To learn more about dentures, how to care for them, or your denture option, call our clinic today!